OpenAI is best known for its groundbreaking AI models, but the tech giant is determined to establish itself in the hardware space and has partnered up with Jony Ive, the legendary designer behind Apple's most iconic products. While the two have teamed together to build the next generation of AI-powered hardware, new reports are coming in about the company now actively poaching top talent from Apple and even targeting its key suppliers.
OpenAI and Jony Ive poach Apple talent to accelerate its ambitious AI hardware push
OpenAI is not afraid to experiment and pivot in different directions to push for growth, and this could be seen in the company's efforts to have Jony Ive lead its next-generation AI device initiative. However, it is not just limited to getting Jony Ive on board. According to The Information, ChatGPT maker seems to be now actively recruiting other top talent from Apple and even seeking its key suppliers to bring the vision to life.
It is a major step for OpenAI, as the company seems determined to excel not just on the artificial intelligence front but also when it comes to consumer-facing hardware. In its attempts to accelerate the ongoing efforts, it has hired about two dozen Apple employees, including designers, hardware engineers, and user interface specialists, among many other top recruits. Some of the prominent Apple hires include Matt Theobald, manufacturing design expert, and Cyrus Daniel Irani, the lead of human interface design.
These new hires are not only experts in their fields but also have profound experience at Apple, where they worked on design-driven innovations—helping OpenAI achieve its ambitious goals even further through meaningful AI integrations with aesthetics remaining at the core. The raiding is not limited to employees alone, as OpenAI also seems to be working with Apple's key suppliers, such as Luxshare and Goertek, for assembly and components. According to the source, the company seems to be exploring varied devices such as a digital voice recorder and a wearable pin, and it is aiming for a launch in late 2026 or early 2027.
OpenAI is luring Apple's employees through higher compensation and motivation to work on fresh and innovative products that have massive growth opportunities. Looking at this broadly, this could entirely reshape the AI hardware landscape. Even though hardware development brings about its own challenges, OpenAI, by following a smart strategy of seeking top talent from Apple, would be able to move forward with its innovative initiative better and more efficiently.
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